Keeping Brazilian Beef on the Table

Brazilian beef is one of our country’s greatest strengths. It represents the hard work of generations of farmers and ranchers who have built herds with care, resilience, and dedication.

From family-run operations to large ranches, our producers have earned Brazil its place as the largest beef exporter in the world. The record we set in July 2025, nearly 277,000 metric tons of beef exported. 17 percent more than the year before, shows just how important our work is, not only for our economy but for the global food supply.

But recent developments are a reminder of how fragile that position can be. In the United States, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has called for the suspension of Brazilian beef imports, pointing to delays in reporting and questioning the reliability of our systems. They have pressed US lawmakers for audits and even suggested trade retaliation. This underscores a core truth of modern food production markets: trust is a currency. Consumer confidence in the safety and transparency of our beef is as important as the beef itself. 

The way forward is clear: Brazil must embrace traceability as a strategic advantage; and producers in Brazil are well positioned to lead this transformation. Many already use AgriTech to manage herds more efficiently, reduce losses, and improve animal welfare. By building these systems into broader traceability frameworks, they can proactively demonstrate compliance rather than react to external pressure. This shift not only protects existing markets but also creates new opportunities where verified sustainability and food safety command higher premiums.

Modern technology provides the tools we need. Electronic identification tags, intelligent scale systems and integrated farm management software make it possible to document every stage of the animal’s life cycle, from birth to processing. When such information is available instantly, farmers can respond rapidly to health events, auditors can verify compliance with confidence, and consumers can trust the integrity of the beef on their plates. Traceability is not an administrative burden. It is a competitive edge, a passport to premium markets, and a safeguard for long-term access to global trade.

The global beef trade is changing. It is no longer simply about supplying protein; it is about meeting the highest standards of safety, sustainability, and accountability; and technology is the bridge between risk and resilience.